Normally expansible anatomical diaphragm



Nov. 7, 1950 R. J. BALLARD ET AL NORMALLY EXPANSIBLE ANATOMICALDIAPHRAGM Filed Aug. 12, 1948 .5 M 5X0 J m%% Ma y mi w size permitted bythe wearers anatomy.

Patented Nov. 7, 1950 OFFICE NORMALLY EXPANSIBLE ANATOBHCAL DIAPHRAGMRobert J. Ballard, Lebanon, and James A. Jackson, Indianapolis, Ind.

Application August 12, 1948, Serial No. 43,918

7 Claims.

This invention relates to vaginal diaphragms. .The chief object of thepresent invention is to provide a structure that may be used by anywoman as follows: Contract a normally expansible diaphragm and rim forinsertion into the vagina, insert the same therein with the cup open enddirected toward the cervix, dispose the rim re'arwardly into the fornixuntil the diaphragm seals the cervix and then release the rim anddiaphragm to the expansive force inherent in the rim.

When so released the rim and diaphragm expand until the structureattains the maximum It is well known that women anatomically vary from50 to 105 mm. in diameter as to size. Again the same women varyanatomically at different times due to age variation and followingchildbirth, for

example. I

' Heretofore, a woman was required to be accurately measured by aphysician and the proper size of structure then purchased. The distancemeasured is between the symphysis pubis and the posterior fornix. Thismeant that the physician used a set of varying sizes of rings for allpatients, which even though sterilized after use for measurementpurposes, nevertheless were repugnant to many patients.

Women anatomically vary in size in accordance with the probabilitycurve. Physicians and drugstores accordingly have had to carry in stockdiaphragm pessaries of all sizes with the larger number in theintermediate and median size range.

The chief feature of the present invention accordingly resides in theprovision of an expansible structure, capable of accommodation over the50 to 105 mm. range by the elasticity of the diaphragm portion and theextensibility of the rim portion, the latter having positive means tolimit the expansion to the maximum size.

This structure preferably is of two types, one circularly outlined andthe other elliptically outlined for this anatomical variationaccommodation.

The woman, asstated, can readily compress the structure of either typefor vaginal insertion, accurately position same by feel and thenrelease. For removal, only a portion of the rim need be gripped and thestructure pulled out.

The expansive force is such that at the smallest diameter or sizepressure upon the body wall is not excessive. Such pressure serves toretain the structure in position.

Thus the invention consists of a one-piece,

one size, expansible rimmed diaphragm wherein the expansion ispositively limited and the rim always tends to expand to such limit andat the same time stretch the diaphragm for full coverage.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from theaccompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

In the drawings Fig. 1 illustrates diagrammatically a portion of awomans anatomy withthe invention in place.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the invention in expanded positionand with parts broken away and other parts shown in section, dottedlines indicating the full collapsed position.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the invention in collapsed position, partsbeing broken away to show other parts in section.

' Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 and of an elliptical and modifiedform of the invention, dotted lines indicating the collapsed position.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings there is diagrammatically illustrated thevaginal tract of a woman with the invention applied thereto, that iswith the diaphragm I0 covering the cervix and the rim ll disposedthereabout and engaging the body wall and being held in place by theexpansion force inherent in the rim.

Reference now will be had to Figs. 2 and 3. As stated, l0 indicates avery resilient, readily stretchable diaphragm portion preferably of softrubber or latex. It is cup-shaped when fully contracted as shown in Fig.3 and shallow dishlike when fully extended. The variation is effectedwithout resulting folds in the smaller sizes since surplus tends towardcupping.

The rim generally designated II in Fig. 1 comprises an inner support andstop fixture to which reference will be had more fully hereinafter, anda normally expansible helical spring arranged in closed formation. Tothis is secured the edge of the cup or dish diaphragm.

In Figs. 2 and 3, I2 indicates a somewhat resilient wire. The same iscircularly disposed and the ends lap as at I3. The free ends are each ofeye form l4 and disposed therein is one of the lapped portions l3. Thusthi ring can normally expand but can not open up due to the stopscomprised of eyes l4.

Disposed about wire l2 and lap l3 in encircling and enveloping relationis a helix IS in clwed form, each turn being rubber covered. Trapped inthe annular chamber produced thereby is the central wire core I2 andstops l4.

when inserted and properly positioned is released to its inherentexpansion for automatic size adjustment and retentionWithout-discomfort.

Reference will now be had to Fig. 4 whereinan elliptical form isillustrated. Herein two wires 20,

U-shape in outline, confront each other and-have lapping end portions 2|terminating in free end eyes 22 that embrace the adjacent end.

About wire and portions 2| is disposed the rubber covered and nowelliptical shaped helix 23 .'I he diaphragmjfi includes a tubular rim 25enveloping andengircling the helix. Mwn lstheig eetion a b e re deser heiee ea sietaili th i b going description, the same is tobe considered asillustrative and ngtrestrictive in character. 1I'he;seyeralmodifications described herein as Well as others will readily suggestthemselves to persons skilled in this art, all are considerec to b Withn the ewe. c b the ihifehfion, reference bein gha d to the appendedclaims.

The invention claimedis e a e z ic ut mat e l a u l .d ap ra mfiq its ef hjiri a ldfi BXpafiion limiting means coextensive with the helix anddisposedwithin the helix.

2. Structure as defined by claim 1 wherein the last mentioned meanscomprises a circularly disposed wire having lapping ends, eachterminating in an eye portion enveloping the adjacent lapping end.

3. Structure as defined by claim 1 wherein the last mentioned meanscomprises a pair of confronting 'U -shaped wires. havinglapping-adjacent ends, each terminating in an eye enveloping theadjacent lapping end.

4. Structure as defined by claim 1 wherein the last *merrtion'ed meanscomprises closed wire means generally conforms in outline to that of thehelix and includes therein at least one lapping joint comprising a pairof eyes embracing adjacent lapping portions of the Wire means forlimitinge'xter'isionthereof l 5. Structure as defined by claim e'whereinthe wire means has inherent bias therein to enlarge the outline toassist the helix to expand the rim e. Structureasf'defined byaeimrwhermhe rim is in tube form and envelopes "the helix. I Structureas 'defined by claim s'whe em-each coil of the helix is rigidlyconnectedextern'ally to the interior ofthetubular rim forumrqrmexpansion of the latter and uniform stretchingof the diaphragm. Iv j ROBERT J. BALLARD.

JAMES 'A. JACKSON."

REFERENCES aim) The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent;

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name l 7 Date 202,037 Lockwood Apr. 2,:;jl78 40 2,101,255 Hay e -;l)ec. 7,- l937 2,463,356 Clark Man-*1, 1949

